Although iOS 6 already features a built-in dictation capability, the current version requires an internet connection in order to use back-end cloud processing. Access to a cloud avoids the necessity of storing a large vocabulary file on the mobile device, as well as saving on RAM usage and battery power.

However, the downside to using back-end cloud processing for dictation is that the user may occasionally encounter slight delays in the text rendering. Another issue with this method is that cloud processing will add to the overall data usage on a device. Although it is a relatively small amount of data usage, users who are close to their data limits may be concerned about adding to their overall data usage amount.

The current offline dictation functionality found in iOS 7 is still missing some key parts that keep the feature from becoming active. However, if Apple decides to implement this feature, it would allow for faster and smoother dictation on Apple’s mobile devices.